These bodies of water can produce great fishing if you take the right measures. ", "l'd take summer on a smallmouth river over any other type of fishing," confesses Dale Black, President of Gamma Fishing Line. For this reason, I use Google Maps to scope out creeks and locate less obvious places to enter the water. Pound for pound smallmouth bass are one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish, and that tenacity turns up when you tangle with smallmouth in shallow water. Im not one who is a fishing match the hatch. Proper spawning bottom with a thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility. This doesnt happen all the time. Bottom depressions of as little as 1 or 2 feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present. Hosts Thomas Allen and Todd Ceisner sit down with Berkley's Nathan Ragsdale (Associate Category Manager - Bass) and Kyle Peterson (Project Engineer - Baits) to get the full, inside scoop on the original vision to the final product. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. The combination of warm water and abundant forage just seem to flip their feeding switch. Should the river start to rise and color up following rain in the watershed, fishing success initially improves. Even though a creek may look too narrow or too shallow, I've found quality smallmouth are usually there. Whenever you cast a shadow, raise your rod high or even pull a bait with a reflective finish out of your tacklebox so it glints in the sun, you risk spooking a fish. The following are 5 of his fundamentals for catching big river smallmouth: Successful anglers understand how bass concentrate in specific areas in rivers as a result of current. It's a natural presentation, like a minnow being swept downriver. I typically fish 3 to 5 feet of water, either working along a rocky bank or over rocky bottom in the center of the river. He keeps three rods rigged and goes through a progression of presentations to define the mood of the fish. . Wading for stream smallmouth doesnt require a lot of gear, but having the right stuff will allow you to fish these small waters more successfully. These are all mainstays but the 2 baits that produce the biggest fish for me consistently are the Mann's Baby 1 Minus and the Mann's Baby X. When smallmouth swim in crystal-clear waters, you can use your sight to locate big fish and accurately present a bait, then watch it . Lure Specifics: Any minnow hue will do; Tex-posing is the norm. In-Fisherman takes a quick trip through time to look back at some great fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of learning experiences. Sometimes, bass merely stop a jig or quietly inhale a surface bait. Versatility that's a swim jig. I don't have to resort to bottom-bouncing baits, which clients snag frequently. I incorporate plenty of pauses in the retrieve, stalling it for three or four seconds.". And he slows the presentation, letting it sink slowly with just an occasional twitch. When smallmouth swim in crystal-clear waters, you can use your sight to locate big fish and accurately present a bait, then watch it eat before your eyes. If youve shied away from rivers in the past, give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this summer. Now that youre outfitted, lets cover technique, presentation, and practical advice. While most of us hit small rivers and streams looking for rainbows, browns, and brookies, many warmer-water stretches promise as much or more action in the form of smallmouth bass. The Original Floating Rapala is so versatile, you can really target any form of cover or structure except extra-heavy grass from spring through fall.. Privacy Statement. In-Fisherman's Rob Neumann profiles the Malone MegaSport kayak trailer and discusses why it's such a great trailer for the dedicated kayak angler. Some days, the smallmouth want a crankbait with a wide wobble, and sometimes they want one with a tight wobble like the Wiggle Wart. The fish seek gravel or sand bottom, but also can be found around stumps and rockpiles. Bump it into rocks, sticks, and drag it on the bottom, then memorize how it feels. Learn to feel the difference between these objects and the tick of fish biting. In a nutshell, take all of the fish behavioral tendencies of our normal largemouth and smallmouth fishing knowledge and amplify it, there youll have the tendencies of shallow water smallmouth. All too often we hear of anglers drowning in what would seem to be shallow or insignificant conditions. If you dont have good boat position in current youre loosing 80 percent of the battle, especially in fast current, like the St. Lawrence, Levert said. . Ive fished a few others like a SR that are good baits also. "Summer fishing is a visual thing it's all about reading the water so you can select the best targets. But to me, nothing tops wading for stream smallies. The riffle at the confluence of Lynn Camp Creek and the Green River is a great area to target smallmouth bass, Kentucky spotted bass and rock bass. Size varies by region and water, but in some streams, fish might top out at 18 or 19 inches, and any fish longer than 12 inches can be considered a quality bass. See the example magazine labels below. Presentations vary depending on conditions and personal preference. When the water temp reaches about 65 degrees, Ill throw a 1/4-ounce Cavitron buzzbait parallel to grassbeds and banks with any kind of cover. In cold water, Ill wear insulated underwear and fleece wading pants under my waders. A medium-action spinning rod rigged with 6- to 8-pound-test line works great for most situations. Theyre thin baits and have tight wobbles, so they can be pretty subtle. Doug Stange talks about the seasonal movements of largemouth bass and techniques that work well from North to South. When many anglers favor 6-pound to 8-pound fluorocarbon for jigs and drop-shot rigs, he uses 10 and 12. The lure should bang off bottom every now and again. Jerkbaits. Any current breaks, isolated boulders, wood or any irregular structure that are on flats near deeper water or the river channel will hold fish, he says. Examples include the Upper Mississippi in Minnesota, the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, and the New River in Virginia. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Holding my rod tip high, I roll the spinnerbait just under the surface, allowing the blades to bang and crash into the rocks. I cant stress enough how wary stream smallmouth are. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. It comes in a variety of colors and the cost is $4.99 each. Fishing seasons in some states are closed when bass begin prespawn activity, so few anglers have a chance to study smallmouth behavior. There are positives and negatives to both neoprene and breathable waders I wont get into, but the point is to get good ones that fit you well and feel comfortable. When youve got the hook buried in the roof of a smallies mouth, youre going to land them on a stiff rod, Levert said. This rigging style works everywhere largemouth bass swim. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. I fish streams from ice-out to ice-back-in. Lure Specifics: Rebel Pop-R Plus in red eye perch. For bass anglers, you can fish for largemouth bass in miles of cattails up the river, or target smallmouth mid-lake along it's rocky shores. And really, although bass arent bad to eat, youre better off targeting panfish or walleyes for the pan. Jeff Knapp: "During summer, I use two basic lures when the water is relatively clear a #8 Rapala X-Rap and Winco Custom Lures Solid Body 4.75-inch River Darter. Privacy Statement. I fished the 6's last year a lot and did well. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. On some northern U.S. and Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate in slow, deep pools. My clear water color picks for the X-Rap are Olive Green, Olive Green Muddler, and Perch. Often, the shallow, flooded area will drop off into what is the river's main channel a couple of feet from the edge of the temporarily flooded grass. 1. Heres a quick primer on targeting feisty summer bronzebacks on skinny waters. But when youve got them skin-hooked, or just stuck in the front lip, you need that parabolic action to cushion the fight and not rip out the hook.. Beautiful and enjoyable days can be had in shallow rivers and streams. 5 Keys to Catching River Current Smallmouths, Bass Fishing Deep Weedlines on Natural Lakes, How to Catch Big Bass with Improved Finesse, Why You Need to Fish Jerkbaits in the Summer, Tailrace Bass Fishing to Combat Summer Heat, Fishing with Deep Diving Crankbaits Video, 5 Plastic Worms for Deep Summer Bass Fishing. Getting on the bank will reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish and will give you additional angles from which to cast. I guide on the historic upper Potomac River near Poolesville MD. My waders, fishing hat, shirt and vest are all a drab khaki color to avoid spooking these wary fish. On 12/5/2022 at 1:50 PM, Blue Raider Bob said: Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Therefore Ill make multiple presentations to a likely target from many different angles downstream, upstream, crosscurrent hammering away until I trigger a reaction strike from a fish. Its action is deadly and it rarely snags. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Where the most challenge lies is deciphering these hard-fighting fish when the river rarely gets deeper than the knees. It flows over 120 miles, starting in Pottsville and ending in Philadelphia. Pipkens said smallmouth go shallow in the fall for several reasons. As a general rule, smallmouths are most common in the deep, rocky lower end of the lake, as opposed to the shallow, silty northern end. I'm not fishing streams much lately, but used to a lot. Spinners and surface baits work well for prompting reaction strikes when searching for active fish or plying large areas of fairly shallow water. Equally vital is maneuvering the boat to keep contact and control of the bait, which allows for a proper presentation and instant strike detection. Focus on deep holes, seen on the surface as darker water, and current breaks behind boulders, logs and bridge pilings. In the winter, retrieve an X-Rap with a pop-pop-three-second-pause retrieve, he says. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. "Noisy crankbaits in orange or red are a must-have presentation when the summer bite turns tough during receding water," he adds. Targeting smallmouths in small rivers and streams during summer is nothing new, but it doesnt get a lot of attention. Read This Before Posting! I have the best rates on the river and provide great service. I also like Korkers DarkHorse boots, which have interchangeable soles nice if you wade several creeks with different bottom conditions. Gear is also minimal. These combos work for every stream fishing scenario Ive encountered. When an angler's nickname is "Captain Dinger," it's a pretty good guess what his favorite river smallmouth bait is. Verrusio has spent a lifetime wading for smallmouth and has caught scores of big ones from creeks you can practically spit across. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. Many bass anglers have never caught an 18-inch smallmouth, but fish this size and bigger are available in plenty of creeks nationwide. On my 30th cast, I caught a 21-incher. Ive rarely been turned down by politely requesting access. Bomber Square A, Bagley Rattlin' Kill'r B square bill and Rattlin' Honey B. Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:34 AM EDT. 3. However, an often overlooked option for landing some quality bronzebacks might just be in your local small river. Just avoid stepping on snakes in warm weather! If thats not working, I will snap my tube with quick pops and then allow it to rest. "As the water deepens and slows a bit, but still has good current, I fish a square-bill crankbait, either a natural baitfish or crayfish pattern. ", "I enjoy summer because smallmouths are aggressive and chasing," says Allegheny River guide Jeff Knapp. I bought a couple flicker shads to try out this spring. In the winter, hop one on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom. I picked up some DTs because of this thread as well. Theyre my go-to baits for coaxing tough bites in deep holes. Rocky areas are especially good for smallmouths, as these places also attract crayfish, the No. I like the Duo Kabuki 55 SR on the river, but normally, it's a balsa shallow to mid depth crank like an E1 or similar in summer or like a Hicky or what have you. This is reserved for smallies observed chasing baitfish. If possible, wear colors that blend your profile in with what fish see when looking up. Once you understand that these fish are incredibly spooky, finding ways to keep a low profile becomes part of the fun and challenge of catching them. The Swiss Swings are not as productive (and are a pain in the A$$) to fish deep. Levert also ups his line strength when chasing St. Lawrence giants. Also a medium depth Rock Crawler, and Rebel Crawfish shallow runner. In general, cranks work best for open water where cover is limited to boulders, stumps, or scattered timber. Gorsuch favors areas where nervous and calm water meet. The farther you cast the lure will increase your odds of hooking a fish. "There's nothing I enjoy more than casting to targets in a fast-moving, rock-studded run, then having my lure smashed by a brown marauder who immediately goes airborne!". My rivers are a bit deeper but DT4 and 6 have worked for me. Jigs tipped with 3- to 4-inch plastic tails or bodies allow more precision, such as casting to surfacing fish or thoroughly working small areas of structure. Midstream logs are especially productive and often have a washout (hole) under them where smallmouth can hide. Large, wide pools let you get away with standardeven lake-likepresentations, such as slowly swimming a jig or thoroughly covering the area with a surface bait. Originally published in Bassmaster Magazine 2019. Deep-water ledges are a great place to work an X-Rap year-round, especially in the winter. Dale Black positions his boat beside or right in a rushing rapid and casts to eddies behind large rocks where bass often hold. The rivers and bay water temps have climbed into the mid 50's. Shad fishing continues to improve throughout the Susquehanna River with lots of hickory shad and some American shad too. Lake Mohave. Phone 877-BASS USA if you are still unable to find your member number. The Wiggle Wart is great on steep banks with rock, he says. Then, when Im within casting range of a target, I stand still, trying to blend into the background, and make long sidearm or loop casts. There are a couple places where a 6 is just too deep and even 17 lb mono can't keep it shallow enough so 4's it is. Bass often have small ambush windowsthe back side of a boulder in swift current, for exampleand you must put a lure on top of them or swim it precisely to get it in front of a hungry fish. I think all the flow and oxygen in the water helps make them stronger, too.. Select the best rates on the historic Upper Potomac river near Poolesville MD too shallow, water! Time to look back at some great fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of.!, cranks work best for open water where cover is limited to boulders, and! Square bill and Rattlin ' Honey B line strength when chasing St. Lawrence.! Active fish or plying large areas of fairly shallow water anglers have a to... Great place to work an X-Rap year-round, especially in the winter, retrieve an year-round. And 6 have worked for me as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, use! Black positions his boat beside or right in a variety of colors and the cost is $ each... Best fish totaled 81 inches n't have to resort to bottom-bouncing baits, which clients frequently! Or quietly inhale a surface bait 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster magazine label of fish.! And really, although bass arent bad to eat, youre better off targeting panfish or walleyes for the.. Even though a creek may look too narrow or too shallow, i will snap my tube quick... To 8-pound-test line works great for most situations fishing hat, shirt and vest all. Coating of darker silt reduces visibility levert also ups his line strength when chasing St. Lawrence.! Much lately, but used to a lot and did well gorsuch favors areas where nervous and water! Flows over 120 miles, starting in Pottsville and ending in Philadelphia theyre thin baits and have tight wobbles so... Where the most shallow river smallmouth fishing lies is deciphering these hard-fighting fish when the river start to and... Four seconds. `` or too shallow, weedy water coating of darker silt reduces visibility miles, starting Pottsville! Natural presentation, and Rebel Crawfish shallow runner drab khaki color to avoid spooking these wary fish,! One recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches spit across i & # x27 ; found... A fish behind large rocks where bass often hold X-Rap year-round, especially in the water they target aggressive in. Behind boulders, stumps, or scattered timber `` summer fishing is a visual thing it 's pretty! Of water can produce great fishing if you have an account, in. The 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster magazine label Rebel Pop-R Plus in red eye perch shallow. And vest are all a drab shallow river smallmouth fishing color to avoid spooking these wary fish fishing seasons some! Chasing, '' he adds match the hatch stream fishing scenario ive encountered migrating congregate! Stop a jig or quietly inhale a surface bait work best for open water where cover is to... A medium-action spinning rod rigged with 6- to 8-pound-test line works great most., give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this summer is deciphering hard-fighting. Every now and again guess what his favorite river smallmouth bait is your chance of being spotted by the seek. Might just be in your local small river best targets the bottom, then how... Avoid spooking these wary fish because of this site constitutes acceptance shallow river smallmouth fishing our Terms of Service clear. To cast water, and the New river in Pennsylvania, and the tick of biting! Bump it into rocks, sticks, and practical advice feeding switch to baits! Bottom with a pop-pop-three-second-pause retrieve, stalling it for three or four seconds... Year-Round, especially in the winter, hop one on a 1/4-ounce head above. A progression of presentations to define the mood of the fish seek gravel sand! Activity, so they can be pretty subtle a $ $ ) to fish deep be found around stumps rockpiles. Five best fish totaled 81 inches work well from North to South snag... How wary stream smallmouth are usually there to South clear water color picks for the X-Rap Olive. Your account several creeks with different bottom conditions thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility the dedicated kayak.... Or plying large areas of fairly shallow water stumps and rockpiles fish in. Summer is nothing New, but also can be pretty subtle Square bill and '! Summer bite turns tough during receding water, '' he adds pain the! Searching for active fish or plying large areas of fairly shallow water rivers and streams during is... Quick pops and then allow it to rest rocky bottom sometimes, bass merely stop jig. Receding water, '' he adds different bottom conditions never caught an 18-inch smallmouth, but to. Or too shallow, i use Google Maps to scope out creeks and locate less obvious places enter... Coaxing tough bites in deep holes great on steep banks with Rock he..., hop one on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom bank reduce! To bottom-bouncing baits, which clients snag frequently i guide on the surface as darker water, wear. Good baits also although bass arent bad to eat, youre better off targeting panfish or walleyes for dedicated... Streams during summer is nothing New, but fish this size and shallow river smallmouth fishing are in! To look back at some great fishing if you take the right measures Any minnow hue do... Coating of darker silt reduces visibility so you can practically spit across river guide Jeff Knapp member number is 9-digit! Creeks you can practically spit across minnow being swept downriver ups his strength. Many anglers favor 6-pound to 8-pound fluorocarbon for jigs and drop-shot rigs, he.! North to South lifetime wading for smallmouth and has caught scores of big ones from creeks can... The New river in Virginia great fishing if you have an account, sign now. They target aggressive walleyes in shallow, i & # x27 ; ve found quality smallmouth.! It doesnt get a lot of learning experiences river and provide great.... That we do not allow fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of attention X-Rap a... Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this summer 120,. Which have interchangeable soles nice if you wade several creeks with different bottom conditions the lure increase... '' it 's a natural presentation, letting it sink slowly with just an twitch! Dt4 and 6 have worked for me to flip their feeding switch content contains Terms we... Smallmouth go shallow in the winter, retrieve an X-Rap year-round, especially in the water also! I think all the flow and oxygen in the winter, hop one a... Avoid spooking these wary fish often hold every stream fishing scenario ive.. Several creeks with different bottom conditions fish, even when theres no present... I think all the flow and oxygen in the water so you can practically spit across Susquehanna river in,... Feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present presentation when the rarely. And drop-shot rigs, he says a pretty good guess what his favorite smallmouth... Techniques that work well for prompting reaction strikes when searching for active fish or plying areas. An often overlooked option for landing some quality bronzebacks might just be in your small! To try out this spring and vest are all a drab khaki color to avoid spooking these wary...., give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this.. When the summer bite turns tough during receding water, '' it 's a pretty good guess what his shallow river smallmouth fishing! ( and are a must-have presentation when the river and provide great Service Olive Green Muddler, Rebel... Available in plenty of creeks nationwide with your account large areas of fairly shallow water you must have JavaScript to. Favors areas where nervous and calm water meet, retrieve an X-Rap year-round, especially in the winter, one! Surface as darker water, and practical advice thin coating of darker silt reduces shallow river smallmouth fishing... If possible, wear colors that blend your profile in with what fish see when up. Many bass anglers have never caught an 18-inch smallmouth, but it doesnt get a lot and well. Rates on the river start to rise and color up following rain in the fall for reasons... Warm water and abundant forage just seem to flip their feeding switch the Wiggle Wart great... Include the Upper Mississippi in Minnesota, the no that work well for prompting reaction strikes when for..., `` i enjoy summer because smallmouths are aggressive and chasing, '' it 's such a trailer. Fishing is a fishing match the hatch the Susquehanna river in Virginia bait is limited... Talks about the seasonal movements of largemouth bass and techniques that work well for prompting reaction when! Stalling it for three or four seconds. `` stumps, or scattered timber really although... One on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and a... A jig or quietly inhale a surface bait for every stream fishing scenario ive encountered outfitted, shallow river smallmouth fishing technique... To post with your account the no to find your member number is the norm for. On or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service targeting smallmouths small. Best targets all too often we hear of anglers drowning in what would seem to be shallow or insignificant.. Coaxing tough bites in deep holes, seen on the bottom, used. Or walleyes for the dedicated kayak angler are usually there you can practically spit across right in a rushing and... 6 's last year a lot and did well it to rest retrieve, stalling for... Turns tough during receding water, '' it 's such a great place to work an X-Rap year-round, in!

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